No medicines, 10-hour power cuts: Sri Lanka nightmare gets "a lot worse"
A critical lack of foreign currency has left the island nation unable to pay for vital imports, leading to dire shortages in everything from life-saving medicines to cement
JULY 27: Cabinet spokesperson Bandula Gunawardena told reporters on Tuesday that Mr Rajapaksa was not in hiding but the date of his return was not known.
The former leader fled Sri Lanka after mass unrest over an economic crisis.
Many protesters say he mishandled the nation's finances, leading to soaring prices of essential goods.
Mr Rajapaksa left Sri Lanka on 13 July for the Maldives, before making his way to Singapore on 14 July.
He submitted his resignation shortly after his arrival, which was formally accepted by the Sri Lankan cabinet on 15 July.
The former president travelled with his wife and two bodyguards. He no longer has legal immunity as a head of state.
Singapore says the ousted president did not ask for political asylum when he arrived.
Mr Rajapaksa had been initially granted a 14-day visa for his stay in Singapore. But that has now been extended another 14 days, Singapore local media reported on Wednesday.
Speculation has since swirled about his possible plans, with some suggesting he might move to the United Arab Emirates.
However Bloomberg quoted an unnamed Sri Lankan official as saying Mr Rajapaksa was keen to return to Colombo.
"To my knowledge he is expected to come back," Mr Gunawardena told reporters on Tuesday.
Sri Lankans blame Mr Rajapaksa's administration for their worst economic crisis in decades.
They have been struggling with months of daily power cuts and shortages of basics like fuel, food and medicines.
Mr Rajapaksa has been replaced as president by his close ally Ranil Wickremesinghe - he was voted in by lawmakers last week but is deeply unpopular among Sri Lankans.
JULY 13: Sri Lanka's Prime Minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe, has declared a state of emergency in the country.
He has been appointed acting president, according to the parliament's speaker, after President Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled the country.
Police have fired tear gas in an attempt to disperse protesters outside the prime minister's office. A curfew has been imposed in Western Province, which includes the capital Colombo.
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa left the country on a military jet - reportedly accompanied by his wife - days after demonstrators overran his residence. He had pledged to stand down on Wednesday amid mass protests over the island's worst economic crisis in decades.
For months people have been struggling with daily power cuts and shortages of basics like fuel, food and medicines. Thousands have taken to the streets in anger in recent weeks, with many blaming the Rajapaksa family and their government for the situation.
JULY 13: The country's air force confirmed the 73-year-old flew to the Maldives with his wife and two security officials.
They arrived in the capital, Male, at around 03:00 local time (22:00 GMT), BBC Sinhala understands.
Mr Rajapaksa's departure ends a family dynasty that has ruled Sri Lanka for decades.
He had been in hiding after crowds stormed his residence on Saturday.
The president had earlier pledged to resign on Wednesday 13 July. On Wednesday morning officials told Reuters news agency that he had yet to submit his letter of resignation to the parliamentary speaker.
His brother, former Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa, has also left the country, sources have told the BBC. He is said to be heading to the US.
As Sri Lankans awoke to news of the president's departure, thousands of people took to the streets of the capital, Colombo. Many gathered at Galle Face Green, the city's main protest site. Some listened to fiery speeches at a makeshift stage set up for ordinary people to take the mic.
Punctuated by cries of "Victory to the struggle" in Sinhalese, the rallying cry of the protest movement, speakers railed against a government and the leaders they feel have failed them.
Sri Lankans blame President Rajapaksa's administration for their worst economic crisis in decades.
For months they have been struggling with daily power cuts and shortages of basics like fuel, food and medicines.
The leader, who enjoys immunity from prosecution while he is president, is believed to have wanted to flee abroad before stepping down to avoid the possibility of arrest by the new administration.
Experts say that while Sri Lanka's move to take Russian oil may raise eyebrows, the country has little room to be choosy about its trade partners as it suffers from a severe fuel shortage, daily power cuts and surging living costs.
MAY 9: At least 20 people were injured in the violence outside the prime minister and president's offices in Colombo.
Police fired tear gas and water cannon at government supporters after they breached police lines and attacked people using sticks and poles.
Soaring prices and power cuts have led to mass protests since last month.
According to a local hospital, at least 78 people have been injured in Monday's violence.
The island nation is facing its worst economic crisis since gaining independence from Britain in 1948.
The government has requested emergency financial help. Many Sri Lankans want President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to go.
Sri Lanka is due to start talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on a loan programme next week, with the country suffering from prolonged power cuts alongside shortages of food and medicines.
The country of 22 million people is seeking assistance from the International Monetary Funds (IMF), having slid into its worst economic crisis in decades.
